Welcome!

Hello! This is where I'll be posting information about what I'm up to while I'm in London. It will be the best and easiest place to get updates on what I'm doing, learning and visiting when living in the Capital of the World. I'll also be able to post pictures and videos! You'll be more likely to get info the quickest here as well, as it'll be much easier writing one blog instead of 34 individual emails to family and friends each week. But of course I'll also be checking and writing emails as always!

So I'll be leaving on Tuesday June 3rd and will be there for at least 6 months. I'll actually be flying back to the States for a weekend at the end of June once (if) my work permit and visa go through. I guess it'll be an excuse to rack up some miles and pack up an additional suitcase or two of stuff I couldn't fit the first time. I'll be working for the same company i've been with in Boulder for 2.5 years, which is now a branch of a much bigger registration company, Active.com. Active acquired us in November and it's been a positive process for RegOnline. I'll be working in an office of 5 people. 2 of us are RegOnline employees and the rest are Active people. I'll be providing additional training and support to the existing employee, hiring and training one or two new employees, and supporting customers.

I'll be put up in a hotel for a week or two until I am able to find my own place. I'm hoping to find a good roommate situation which will provide cheaper rent and some good people to hang out with. I won't have a car and will get around mostly by foot and the Tube, London's excellent subway system. Other than that, I have absolutely no idea what to expect or what I'll be up to. I plan to take advantage of being there and travel as much as possible. I will also be bringing my hiking and backpacking gear and plan to hit a few spots this summer.

Until I'm there and have a real post, here are a few interesting facts about London:
- The exchange rate is approximately $.51GBP (Great Britain Pounds) to every $1USD. This is not good if you are an American. I will be paid in Pounds and my salary has been adjusted for the exchange rate and cost of living.
- The average 1 bedroom flat in London is around $1000GBP, which if you do the math is almost $2000 a month! They are much smaller and don't always have all the modern conveniences either (like a full fridge!).
- The population of the Greater London Urban Area is 8,278,251 and the metropolitan area is estimated to have a total population of between 12 and 14 million. Wow!
- Greater London is approx. 874 square miles and is at an elevation of 79 feet.
- The first major settlement of London was founded by the Romans in AD 43!

Ok, that's it for now! More to come when I'm actually there.